The RNLI lifeguards have all completed vital training and are looking forward to returning to the beaches to offer safety advice and assistance over the bank holiday weekend. A safety service provided by the charity’s lifeguards will be offered from Saturday morning (4 May) between the hours of 10am-6pm throughout the bank holiday weekend.

A lifeguard service will be provided on Coney/Sandy and Trecco Bay in Bridgend, Aberafon (Neath and Port Talbot), as well as Whitmore Bay in the Vale of Glamorgan.

In Swansea, RNLI lifeguards will be at their posts on Langland, Caswell, Port Eynon and Three Cliffs Bay. In Pembrokeshire, a lifeguard service will be provided on Tenby South beach and Whitesands over the May bank holiday weekend.

Chris Cousens, RNLI Safety Partner, offers the following advice to anyone enjoying the coast this weekend:

‘While the sun might be shining over the bank holiday weekend, we’d like to remind people that the sea is still extremely cold and that conditions can change quickly around the coast. If you find yourself suffering from the effects of cold water shock after going into the sea (intentionally or unintentionally), fight your instincts to thrash about or try to swim – instead, relax and float on your back until the effects have passed and you can swim to safety.

‘We want people to enjoy the coastline and therefore urge people to respect the water and take extra care when visiting the coast, by taking some basic precautions. Plan your activity – check the weather and tide conditions before going to sea, and make sure your equipment is all in working order.

‘Carry a means of calling for help should something go wrong. If you see someone in trouble please don’t attempt the rescue yourself, alert a lifeguard or call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

For further safety advice on how to stay safe on the beach this summer please visit rnli.org.uk.

Notes to editor

RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling the following beaches over the bank holiday weekend:

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.